COURSE OVERVIEW Designed for individuals planning to teach middle or high school science, this course explores both the teacher's and the students' role in secondary science classrooms. As prospective teachers we will focus on the role of the teacher, but always with reference to the ways in which teachers interact with students to create positive environments that foster inquiry and promote meaningful learning. We will touch on numerous aspects of science classrooms including: refining learning goals, evaluating curriculum resources, planning lessons, determining and adapting appropriate teaching methods, facilitating classroom inquiry, fostering dialog, maintaining a safe science classroom, meeting district and national standards, using technology to promote learning, and assessing students' learning. Our “driving question” for the semester will be:
“How do we engage our students in scientific inquiry?”
Designed for individuals planning to teach middle or high school science, this course explores both the teacher's and the students' role in secondary science classrooms. As prospective teachers we will focus on the role of the teacher, but always with reference to the ways in which teachers interact with students to create positive environments that foster inquiry and promote meaningful learning. We will touch on numerous aspects of science classrooms including: refining learning goals, evaluating curriculum resources, planning lessons, determining and adapting appropriate teaching methods, facilitating classroom inquiry, fostering dialog, maintaining a safe science classroom, meeting district and national standards, using technology to promote learning, and assessing students' learning. Our “driving question” for the semester will be:
“How do we engage our students in scientific inquiry?”